Sample Schedule

Aesthetics - One semester course
Prerequisites – Critical Thought
Fees - None
Aesthetics class is available to juniors and seniors. In this class, students explore the philosophy of beauty. This course surveys aesthetics in Western literature both historically and culturally, focusing on the connection of philosophical view with the creation of art. Students read Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Tolstoy, Santayana, Weitz and Bey. This course is required for all IA majors.

Creative Writing Workshop - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees - None
Creative Writing workshops can include, but are not limited to, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, creative non-fiction, short story, and novel writing. The course is designed to develop grammar, writing and language skills needed for individual expression in literary forms. Students share their work in a group environment to benefit from an interactive revision process and to develop a vocabulary with which to discuss writing in a positive and supportive manner.

Critical Thought - One semester course
Prerequisites – Permission of instructor is required for non-majors
Fees - None
Critical Thought is open to juniors and seniors. This philosophy-based course examines the art of thinking. It surveys several systems of logic, both formal and informal, and provides students with techniques for exploring the structure and role of thought itself. This course is required for all IA majors.

Costume and Fashion Design - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Costume and Fashion Design encompasses design, garment construction, accessories, print, and presentation for stage and show. The class culminates each year with a spring fashion show. This beginning class is designed for first year students and teaches all the basics of garment design and construction.

Costume and Fashion Design II-III- Full year course
Prerequisites – Beginning costume and fashion design or equivalent
Fees – None
This intermediate class is geared toward the second year student. Students enrolling in this class should have good basic skills in sewing, draping, pattern making and construction.

Costume and Fashion Design IV-V - Full year course
Prerequisites – Intermediate costume and fashion design or equivalent; consent of instructor
Fees – None
This advanced class focuses on the higher level fashion design student; this class is for the gifted, experienced, self-starting student who requires and deserves more one-on-one time with the instructor.

Fashion Illustration - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Fashion Illustration is designed to teach students the basic fashion drawing techniques through the study of fashion figure proportion, body movements, line expression, clothing silhouettes, color contrasts, junior fashion trends, and their own personal style of rendering. Through the study of these techniques the students will be able to communicate their design ideas on paper. At the end of the semester each student will have developed his or her own fashion design collection portfolio.

Graphic Storytelling - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees - None
Graphic Storytelling is designed for students interested in the ancient art of sequential narrative, a unique medium that arranges static images to represent a story or dramatize an idea. We refer to this medium as "comics." In the past 100 years comics have entered the lexicon of pop culture to the point where certain comic book characters are now among the most recognizable "people" in the world. The form lends itself to a certain branch of contemporary mythology, certainly in America. Students in the class study grammar, then write and illustrate, work together in design teams with students of different disciplines, and ultimately create a finished product. This class is offered when enrollment permits.

Interdisciplinary Mind I - One semester course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Interdisciplinary Mind incorporates dance, poetry, painting, philosophy, music, and martial arts, by recognizing the importance of Asian ideas in the global world of arts and commerce. This class provides students a foundation exemplified by the five pillar philosophies of China: I Ching, Five Elements, Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism provide the framework for the specific instruction in Calligraphy, Chinese Brush Painting, and Swordsmanship. This course is required for all first year IA majors at the discretion of the department chair.

Interdisciplinary Mind II - One semester course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – Uniform is required: Lion Dance T-shirt, black athletic pants, sash and dedicated shoes
Interdisciplinary Mind II will give students a chance to learn and participate in an ancient performance art form that is an interdisciplinary fusion of dance, music, drama, and martial arts. Working together as a team, students will learn, for example, how to make the Chinese New Year Lion Dance come alive and together enact a powerful tradition to bring good luck and happiness to adults and children in the Idyllwild and extended Inland Empire community.

Introduction to Wu Mei Kung Fu - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – Uniform is required: white T-shirt, black athletic pants, sash and dedicated shoes
Introduction to Wu Mei Kung Fu is designed to introduce students to classical Chinese martial art as expressed through the art of Wu Mei Pai. It is taught in the traditional method for health, strength and self-defense without aggression or violence. Students will explore the physical details of stance, posture, and movement through the choreography particular to the Wu Mei system, as well as Chinese culture and philosophy as they apply to understanding martial art. This course receives physical education credit. Please note that this course meets for 1-1/2 hours only once per week; for full P.E. credit the student must take 3 hours of P.E. accredited classes per week.

Performance Workshop - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Performance Workshop is required for all Interdisciplinary Arts majors. The course is designed to provide a forum in which students can develop their own performance skills in various disciplines of the arts. Students have several opportunities to work on their performance skills as well as their ability to critique in a workshop environment. This aspect of the course addresses various facets of performance mastery. Additionally, students are exposed to interdisciplinary artists working successfully in their fields. Guest lecturers, master class artists, and artists in residence provide insights into crafting a career grounded in more than one area of the arts. This course is required for all IA majors each year they are in the program.

Photojournalism - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees - None
Photojournalism is both visually and verbally critical in the development of the subtext that blends pictures with the written word. Students in this course learn how to interrelate picture and word by creating print based stories and developing portfolios that convey information through both images and words. This class is offered when enrollment permits.

Senior Seminar - One semester course
Perequisites – None
Fees – None
Senior Seminar is required of all seniors at Idyllwild Arts. The class is divided into two parts: common sessions where all seniors participate under the direction of the college counselor and address such topics as college applications, essays and standardized testing; and breakout sessions which address department/discipline-specific needs such as audition preparation, audition travel, and portfolio development.

World Rhythm Studies - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees - None
World Rhythm Studies is a survey of rhythmic practices of various world cultures (clapping, tapping and rapping) including a study of percussion instruments of the world. Students perform using assorted percussion instruments, hands and feet. There is emphasis on video and listening exercises and rhythmic theory. Cultural focus includes Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. This class is offered when enrollment permits.

Yearbook - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees - None
Yearbook explores basic photography, layout, graphics, journalistic and editorial skills, and desktop publishing. The main project for this class is the publication of the Idyllwild Arts Academy Yearbook. Students are divided into design teams that are responsible for the production of various parts of the publication. All students take part in the decision-making processes that lead to the overall design of the yearbook and learn to create a professional publication from beginning to end.

Yoga – Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Yoga class content includes asana (physical postures), pranyama (breath), philosophy, relaxation techniques and some meditation. This is an introductory level yoga class, offering a well–rounded practice tailored to the needs and abilities of the attending students. Unifying breath and movement, the practice facilitates the development of strength, flexibility and endurance while cultivating awareness, discipline and focus. The benefits of yoga include stress reduction, improved concentration and greater health and vitality. Its holistic perspective supports the students in all aspects of their lives and endeavors. Grades are based on attendance, attitude and quality of participation. This course receives physical education credit. Please note that this course meets for 1-1/2 hours only once per week; for full P.E. credit the student must take 3 hours of P.E. accredited classes per week.

Other Classes
Because the needs of the department and the availability of guest artists and lecturers change, classes or workshops may be offered as the need or opportunity arises.  Such courses may range in length from one quarter to one year and may include topics such as The Arts and History, Existentialism and Art, Immediatism, Performing Arts and the Internet, and Performance Art and Drama.

Courses offered in other departments and available to Interdisciplinary Arts majors are:

Fiction Workshop
Literature and the Writer
Playwriting Workshop
Poetry Workshop
Anatomy & Kinesiology
Ballet for Non-Majors
Dance History
Jazz Dance
Tap Dance
Acting for the Camera
Film History
Intro to Film Making
Music and Film
Production Workshop
Screenwriting
Choir
Class Piano/Class Voice
Jazz Improvisation
Music History
Music Theory
Acting Improvisation
Musical Theatre Repertory
Music Fundamentals for Musical Theatre
Technique and Analysis
Theatre History
Theatre Production
Introduction to Design
Animation
Art History
Ceramics
Computer Graphics
Digital Photography
Drawing
Fiber Arts
New Genres
Painting
Photography
Screen Printing
Sculpture
Web Design

Sample Schedule